Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks Monica and mf, I'm tearing up with relief that I'm not alone. Thing is I didn't have chemo, "just" surgery and radiotherapy, so the level of tiredness etc has taken me by surprise.   What's made me more sad/anxious today is my manager texting to say she's been asked to submit a referral for me to speak to OH. This happened a while back and when I spoke to their admin on the phone they said it was only necessary to be referred and get an OH appointment once I am ready to return to work, which I'm obviously not. So I feel that I'm being pressured, and it's not the first time she's texted similar. A few weeks ago she texted to say that she "wasn't pushing", but did I know when I would be returning. I told her of my tiredness and anxiety and she apologised for asking and backed right down - or so I thought.    I'm frustrated enough feeling like this as it is, without this added hassle.   Jeez, I'm moaning again. 😒 xx ... View more

Hi all, not been around for a while so just been trying to catch up a bit. Hats off to those of you who have returned to work xxx. I finished rads in Sep and don't feel anywhere near ready to return yet, just doing normal stuff like walking the dog/housework/shopping tires me out still. All things that I would usually be able to do before/after a day's work. Also started taking Sertraline for anxiety  five weeks ago, it has calmed me down a it but I'm still on edge constantly.   Sorry, that all just poured out once I got started, moan over. ☺️ ... View more

Hi, just to encourage anyone with CI cover and not sure whether to submit a claim, I heard this morning that my claim was successful, so there's the mortgage wiped at least, and a tidy sum left over x ... View more

Congratulations Jill, woo hoo! 🍻 🎉 🍸 🎊 🍷 🎂     Enjoy the bra burning! x ... View more

@nappinggirl wrote: Thanks Blondie.  I've been doing a bit of research this morning and apparently (according to the Royal United Hospital in Bath's website!!), it could be a damaged brachial nerve which goes down your arm, one of the common side effects of radiotherapy.  I was so worried about it this morning I phoned the Rad Dept and spoke to a Radiographer who just fobbed me off and said get in touch with your GP although she did ask me if my arm was swollen which is another sign of lympodema.  It seems very strange that it is only in my left arm (it's not swollen though).  Maybe we should wait and see if it goes away, I don't know if I can face seeing another doctor at the moment either! Ah, right - if it is a damaged nerve I'm happier with that than it potentially being onset of lymphedema. As I've said before on this "journey", it's surprising how our priorities/expectations change! I don't think I'll set myself up for more appointments unless it gets worse or swollen. Thanks x ... View more

Hi Dawn, sorry that you find yourself joining our club, but you're in the right place now you're here as you'll find lots of support.   Your emotions are understandably running high anyway, and stopping HRT won't be helping from that side, but hey, if it reduces the odds of a recurrence....I had WLE (and sentinel node removal) in June for DCIS and also IDC which was hormone receptive. I had to stop taking my contraceptive pills and have now started on Tamoxifen, but I was having rages before the Tamoxifen, my mood has been so up and down with the stress of diagnosis, poor OH doesn't know where he's at. However, I finished my fifteen sessions of radiotherapy yesterday and feel that my mood is finally beginning to settle.   Hang in there, as you get through each step of the process things will become clearer and hopefully calmer for you too xxx ... View more

@nappinggirl wrote: Has anyone had pins and needles in their arm?  I keep getting it and I only have it in my left arm (Rad side) and it keeps me awake at night.  Not sure if it's a side effect or just me!   Good luck today Jill, will be thinking of you x     Hi, yes - I've had pins and needles in my rads arm on and off for the last week or so, goes down the outside of my arm and right down into my little finger and the two next to it. It's just come on again now so perhaps it's psychological? Hmm, then I read the leaflets about lymphodema and they say report any changes in the arm as they could be a warning sign of  it developing. While I was typing that it's gone again though, so I'm not sure it's worth contacting my BCN about? Or maybe I've just had enough appointments for now! ☺️ ... View more

@missmore wrote: Blondie well done you made it! Quite an achievement it's a hard time to get through xxx sheena     Thanks Sheena, how are you doing? xxx ... View more

Thanks everyone, heading off to celebrate in an hour or so, don't seem to be feeling the tiredness today so far, which is weird. Probably catch up with me later or tomorrow and I'll feel like a wet dishcloth again 😁   Well done Julie, enjoy your tea out, your turn tomorrow Jill x ... View more

Ahh, thanks Lorna, hope you're doing well? xxx ... View more

What a clumsy thing to say! I've had some whoppers said to me over the last few months, but you'd think someone who worked in oncology would have more thought! ... View more

Thanks Jill, bet you can't wait 'til tomorrow x   I was just having a browse around, seems that the bell at my hospital has only been there for a few months, and that a charity aims for every cancer hospital to have one soon. There's a pic of the bell and poem too:   http://www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/news/11-year-old-cancer-patient-willow-ward-rings-arrival-new-end-treatment-bell-clatterbridge-cancer-centre         ... View more

Yay, am back, last one done. Rang the bell and had cheers and clapping, had all intentions of saying best wishes/good luck to everyone, but in reality I teared up and couldn't speak, so just waved (look at me being all regal!) and left.   Celebratory meal then pub with OH later. Be thinking of you at 5pm Julie, and you Jill tomorrow morning xxx ... View more

Determined to ring that bell Jill, although I got tearful just reading your post about it, so gawd knows what I'll be like when I actually do it in an hour or so! 😳 ... View more

I actually woke up looking forward to rads today, because it's the last one 😀 ... View more

Don't torch the bubbly, Jill - it's a waste 😱 😆 ... View more

I'm not sure Jill, may have to go and Google....   ... View more